Re: Four-year dream run comes to an end - Laura L&K accident Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee The discipline that you have mentioned is actually a combination of different factors. The safety of the car and its occupants and the unpleasantries involved in any accident, minor or major, always make me take my foot off the accelerator every time I am tempted to go fast. I do try and test the car sometimes to see the limits it can be pushed to, but I believe I have never really found that limit. I back off way before it. So the predominant emotion present here is that of fear. |
One thing I learnt quickly in my about 20+ years behind the wheel. Never give in to fear. If you are afraid of driving (be it any reason, may be the weather, the people in your car, the traffic) back off and hand over the wheel to someone else or stop and gather yourself.
It is also useful to develop a skill which I call as marking the stage. In the two dimensional road view ahead, to your sides and behind you, everytime you plan a move (say overtake, slowdown, turn left or right), please look ahead, left mirror, right mirror and rearview. You will know who all are around you. Then plan your move with respect to anticipating how the affected parties may react and also factor in for their slow reaction, allowing them escape/runoff areas. When you are satisfied that all will be safe with your planned moves, then go ahead and perform your actions.
I know all this sounds of too much planning and lot of time, but trust me, with practice, you would be doing all this at a subconsious level, in microseconds and driving in a safe, smooth and seamless manner.
Lastly, as long as you are not constantly accelerating, slowing down, holding to high speeds is far safer. When you are on any road, you automatically come to know of the safe speed on that road, for that day. The safe speed is that speed where in you are not slowing down, accelerating, changing gears constantly and no one is honking/flashing at you from behind. It may be 120kmph today and may be only 80kmph tomorrow. When you find the safe speed, stick to it as closely as possible. You will see that your average time comes down, your family will thank you for smooth driving and you will save fuel. Cheers |